title: The role of proteins in the nucleation and formation of calcium-containing deposits on biomaterial surfaces.
abstract: In experiments in vivo using diffusion chambers, the morphology and composition of calcium-containing deposits on natural and artificial biomaterials that had no direct contact with cells were studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersion X-ray microanalysis. It was revealed that the formation of a protein layer containing protein-calcium complexes is the key event in biomaterial calcification. A mechanism of formation of a calcium-containing protein matrix that creates the conditions for supersaturation of the crystal-forming medium over critical value has been proposed. The formation of nuclei of insoluble calcium phosphate starts predominantly deep in an adsorbed protein layer enriched by calcium ions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Blood Compatible Biomaterials, Institute of Transplantology and Artificial Organs, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vasin
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Rosanova
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Sevastianov
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011506:Proteins; D002118:Calcium